3 former Blue Jays who could have helped the 2025 roster

Even though the Toronto Blue Jays have enjoyed a successful 2025 season so far, there are still a few former players fans wish were still around. While there’s no guarantee these players would be thriving if they had stayed in Toronto, it’s interesting to imagine how they might have fit into the current roster.

Otto Lopez

It may be surprising to remember that Otto Lopez was once the Blue Jays’ No. 4-ranked prospect back in 2022. After strong performances in Triple-A and a few stints in the majors, his momentum was cut short by an injury in the second half of 2023. Once Toronto signed Yariel Rodríguez that offseason, Lopez was designated for assignment.

After bouncing around to the Giants and eventually landing with the Miami Marlins, Lopez has carved out a steady big-league role. Across 233 career games with Miami, he’s hitting .254 with a .676 OPS, and in 2025 he’s enjoying his best season yet, driving in 61 RBIs across 116 games.

For the Blue Jays, Lopez could have been a valuable utility option, especially now with Ernie Clement sidelined. His ability to cover multiple infield spots and provide contact hitting off the bench would have given Toronto much-needed depth down the stretch.

Yusei Kikuchi

Even though the Blue Jays have shifted to a six-man rotation for the coming weeks, having a reliable left-handed starter like Yusei Kikuchi would have been a major asset.

Now pitching for the Los Angeles Angels, Kikuchi has put together one of his best campaigns and was named an All-Star for the second time in his career.